“A definitive look at the 1956 EP “The Real Elvis”: its release, the four songs, how they were recorded, and why it marked a turning point”
Elvis Presley and the 1956 EP “The Real Elvis”
In 1956, Elvis Presley was living his breakthrough year: television appearances, tours, hit records, and an unprecedented youth phenomenon. In this context, RCA Victor released the EP “The Real Elvis” on August 17, 1956 (catalog EPA-940). It brought together four essential tracks that perfectly captured the creative whirlwind of that year.
Tracklist of the EP
- Don’t Be Cruel (Otis Blackwell / Elvis Presley)
- I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Maurice Mysels / Ira Kosloff)
- Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller)
- My Baby Left Me (Arthur Crudup)
The set combined two explosive summer hits (“Don’t Be Cruel” / “Hound Dog”) with the earlier single (“I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” backed with “My Baby Left Me”), offering fans a compact, powerful package.
Recording and Production: when and where they were made
- “My Baby Left Me” — recorded January 30, 1956, RCA Studios, New York.
- “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” — recorded April 14, 1956, RCA Studios, Nashville.
- “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog” — recorded July 2, 1956, RCA Studios, New York.
Producer: Steve Sholes.
Core band: Elvis Presley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Scotty Moore (lead guitar), Bill Black (double bass), D.J. Fontana (drums).
Key contributions:
- The Jordanaires provided backing vocals on “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog.”
- On “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” only Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires participated, joined by additional studio singers.
- Shorty Long added piano to “My Baby Left Me.”
Release, Charts and Sales
- Release date: August 17, 1956.
- Format: 7″ EP, 45 RPM, mono, cardboard sleeve with promotional photo cover.
- Sales: approximately 500,000 copies, fueled by the strength of its singles.
- Why it didn’t chart as an EP in general listings: radio spins were credited to the singles, not the EP itself, so the real chart impact came through the individual songs.
Musical highlights of each track
- Don’t Be Cruel: doo-wop infused rock and roll with elegant groove and Jordanaires harmonies, one of Elvis’ most infectious vocals.
- I Want You, I Need You, I Love You: a modern ballad, showcasing Elvis as a youthful crooner beyond pure rock and roll.
- Hound Dog: raw energy; the studio version was perfected after many takes until the now-iconic fast-paced rendition was captured.
- My Baby Left Me: a reworking of Arthur Crudup’s R&B tune, bridging Elvis’ Sun Records sound with RCA’s power.
Artwork and Edition
- Catalog: RCA Victor EPA-940
- Cover art: a promotional photo of Elvis in close-up, bold typography, RCA credit. First pressings exist with label and sleeve variations.
Historical importance
- “The Real Elvis” showcased in one release the full stylistic range of 1956 Elvis: explosive rock and modern balladry.
- Proved the commercial strength of the EP format in the mid-1950s.
- Gave millions of fans direct access to the authentic Elvis in his most decisive year.
Quick Reference (for collectors)
- Label / Catalog: RCA Victor EPA-940
- Release date: 08/17/1956
- Format: 7″ EP (45 RPM), mono
- Tracks: 4
- Producer: Steve Sholes
- Musicians: Presley, Moore, Black, Fontana; with The Jordanaires (NY, July) and Gordon Stoker in Nashville (April); Shorty Long (piano on “My Baby Left Me”).
Commercially, the EP initially sold over 400,000 copies. It was not published on the charts. “The Real Elvis” is currently certified platinum by the RIAA.
Access the Complete Discography of Elvis Presley in the following link of Elvis Radio 24h https://elvisradio24h.com/tag/discography/ TCB
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